Friction control for pull lines



Dec. 1, 1936.

FRICTION CONTROL FOR PULLLINES Filed April 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jil16 INVENTOR ATTORNEY w. w. FOSTER v 2,062,705

Dec. 1, 1936. w. w. FOSTER FRICTION CONTROL FOR PULL LINES Filed Apiil11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 4 z MR ;a

Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to well drilling tools and equipment and it hasparticular reference to certain new and useful improvements in casingspinning apparatus.

The principal object of the invention is to dispense with the expensiveand hazardous practice of making up and breaking out casing by the oldmethod of winding a rope about the line shaft spool of the draw-worksand thence about the casing joint to frictionally urge the same torotate. This practice is hazardous inasmuch as workmen frequently becomeentangled in the line and it is likewise expensive due to the excessivefrictional wear to which the rope is subjected.

The invention aims to provide a spinning device designed to operate onlywhen needed and is actuated by a continuously revolving friction elementwhich latter serves likewise in the capacity of a cathead.

Among the foremost objects of the invention is to provide means to urgethe normally stationary element into frictional engagement with therevolving friction element to effect rotation also of the stationaryelement when it is desired to spin a joint of easing. Moreover, theinvention provides for automaticreturn of the normally stationaryelement to inoperative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means to prevent continuedrotation of the normally stationary or spinning device when it is movedto inoperative position should it have a tendency to do so, due possiblyto slight friction at some point inthe assembly.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particularreference to its salient features of construction and arrangement of aparts which will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is an elevation in vertical cross-section, with portions partlybroken away, showing a spinning device constructed according to theinvention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section showingthe specific means for returning the normally stationary element toinoperative position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section in elevation, showing the means foradvancing as well as the means for returning the normally stationaryelement to inoperative position.

Figure 4 is a transverse section on lines 4-4 on Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a transverse section on lines 5-5 on Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail view with portions broken away, showing the brakingmeans to prevent backward rotation of element, and V Figure 7 is afragmentary detail view o'f aline the normally stationary sheath andpulley arrangement, ordinarily associated with the invention fordirecting the line 3 around the drillers post on the derrick flocn]Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawings, referenceis primarily made to Figure 1 in which I denotes the end of aconventional draw-works line shaft. ing operations, this shaft iscontinuously -r otated and ordinarily carries a spool or cat-head whichis keyed to the shaft. This-cathead is, in the present case replaced bythe drum or spool 2, having a short outer flange w and a longerinnerflange b, surrounded by fins or ribs 3. Since the inner surface of theflangebserves as a brake shoe, in the manner and for the purpose to belater described, it is subjected to friction thus generating heat, hencethe cooling flns 3, above set forth. 7

Asleeve 4 embracesthe end of the shaft l and has a flange 5 on its outerend. To this flange is bolted the internal flange fi of the spool .2 by

means of the bolts'l. The sleeve 4, being secured to the shaft I bymeans'of the key 8, itrotates therewith as does the spool '2.

A drum '9 surrounds the sleeve 4 and has flanges Ill and H. Theconstruction of this drum, which functions as the spinning drum, issuchthat a substantially truncated cone-shaped brakedrum l2 is'formedintegrally with the outside of the flange H], as shown and isconformably received by the similarly shaped flange b of the spool 2,which, as stated previously, f-unctions as a brake shoe. The brakelining I3 is secured .by screws orrivets M to the outersurface of thebrake drum so as to be capable of frictional engagement with the brakeshoe or flange b when it is desired to efiect rotation of the spinnerdrum 9.

The relationship of the drum 9 and sleeve 4 is such that an annularspace I5 is defined and in which are disposed roller bearings 16.Retainer rings ll are provided at the ends of each group of rollers anda spacer ring [8 separates the retainer rings at the desired points. Thebearing chamber I 5 is. intended also to contain a suitable lubricatingmedium for the bearings.

The end of the sleeve 4 opposite the spool 2 is exteriorly threaded toreceive first, the flat ring l9, receiving the thrust of the ballbearings 20, and second, the retaining nut 2|. Since the ring or plateI9 is secured to the shaft I-, it of course rotates therewith and serves;as the outer race for the balls 20. The inner race for these balls isprovided by the flanged ring 22, entirely enclosed by a flanged member23 and the outer ball race IS. The flanged ring 22 is d. by b lts 24 tothe outer flanged member During drill- The flanged member 23 is requiredto remain stationary to afford an abutment to receive the thrust whenthe drum 9 is moved to effect engagement thereof with the revolvingelement. Accordingly, an anchoring means in .the form of a bar or pipe25 is threaded into a socket 26 carried by the said member 23. The freeend of this pipe is secured to some adjacent stationary object toprevent displacement of the member Spaced inwardly from the member 23and flanged ring 22 is a peculiarly shaped and flanged element 21 whichserves in axcapacity similar to that of the ring 22, inasmuch asitaffords one race for the ball bearings 28, as well'as a socket for theround ended thrust pins 29, the function of which pins will be presentlyexplained.

The element 21 is shown in Figure 1 as having an interiorly threadedsocket 30 at some point around its circumference. Into this socket isthreaded a pipe or handle 3| for the purpose of oscillating the saidelement 21. Displacement. of element 21 need be but slight since thedrum- 9 is required to be axially moved only the small distance betweenthe brake drum l2 and shoe to effect frictional engagement of the liningl3 with the shoe.

The thrust pins 29 are normally inclined relative to the surfaces of theelement 2'land flanged ring 22, between which the pins arelongitudinally interposed in annularly spaced relationship, as shown inFigure 5. In the inclined position of the pins, the drum 9 is stationaryand therefore inoperative but by urging the handle 3| to the positionshown in Figure 1, the element 27 is oscillated or slightly rotated andsince the ends of thrust pins 29 are held against displacement relativeto their respective points of securement by sockets on the faces ofelement 21 and ring 22, the tendency of the pins is to move from theinclined to the horizontal plane as exemplifled in Figure 3 and in sodoing, the element 21 is urged away from the ring 22, carryingwith itthe drum 9. Accordingly, engagement is effected between the brake liningand shoe, whereupon the drum 9 revolves in unison with the spool 2,which, it will be remembered, continuously revolves.

The above described action takes place against the resistance of springs32, whose relationship with the pins 29 is better shown in Figure 5.This figure shows only the apertures 33 in which the springs areconnected but in Figures 2 and 3, the position of a spring relative to apin as shown together with the means for securing the ends of thesprings. This means consists of the apertures 33 in both the element 21and flanged ring 22 and a cross member 34 over which the ends of thesprings are looped. Obviously, when the pins urge the drum 9 tooperative position, the springs 32 have a tendency to return theelements to inoperative position when the handle 3| is released orreturned to its original position. In so doing, a rotative action in adirection opposite to the initial action on the element 21 is obtained,due to the angle at which the springs 32 are disposed. r

When thelever is returned to its original position, the element 21 islikewise returned, bringing with it the drum 9, due to theoverhanginglip 35, shown adjacent the operating lever or handle 3| in Figure 1.This lip is carried by the element 21 at some point around itscircumference and overhangs the narrow annular flange This narrow flange"ing housing 31, integral with or secured to some point around thecircumference of the element 21. In the top of this housing is pivotedan arm 38, ate and whicharm depends over the beveled periphery d of theflange H of the drum 9.

A brake shoe 39 carries a lining 49 which engages the beveled peripheryd of the flange II when the spinner drum 9 is idle. This is due: to theangularity of the arm 38 with respect to the axis of rotation of thedrum flange A spring 4 l, reposing in a sheath 42 bears upon the pivotedarm 38 urging it to operative position. When the drum 9 is to be movedto operative position, a pin or other element 42, secured to astationary part of the assembly, such as the flanged ring 23, affords astop' for the arm 38, which latter is urged to a position to relieve thefriction between the shoe lining 40 and beveled periphery d of theflange II. This action is against the resistance of spring 4|.

Describing further the cooperative action of pin 42 and arm 38, it willbe remembered that rotative movement of the element 21 is limited to afew inches, say the length of the slot in housing 37, (Fig. 6) throughwhich pin 42 extends. When element 2'! is rotated by handle 3| in aclockwise direction (Fig. 6), the pin 42, being stationary, will bearagainst the arm 38 causing it to swing on its pivot 0, against thespring 4|, thereby moving the brake shoe 39 out of frictional engagementwith the flange of the drum 9. Simultaneously, such movement of theelement 21 will urge the pins 29 (Fig. 3) to relatively parallelpositions to force the drum 9 axially toward the spool 2, the drum nowbeing relieved of any braking action. Immediately upon return of element21 to original position to release drum 9 and spool 2, spring 4| movesthe arm 38 toward the vertical which causes the shoe 39 to advance againto engage the drum flange H. v

In securing the pull line to the drum 9, the flange I9 thereof isprovided with a series of annularly spaced slots or apertures 42a. Theend of the line or rope is inserted into one of these apertures andthreaded through the remainder alternately and secured by providing asuitable enlargement of conventional design on the extended end. Thus,little strain is imposed upon the rope at its point of securement and itis less likely to break.

In Figure 7 is shown fragmentarily a device by which the pull or jerkline, which is wound upon the spinner drum 9, is directed around thedrillers post to the point of operations. Ordinarily, the line extendsfrom the cat-head, past the driller, to the point of operations. Thedriller and other workmen are often entangled in the line, shouldbreakage occur or possibly due to slippage of the tong and seriousinjury results.

The device shown in Figure 7 is comprised of the sheave 43 and sheath 44through which the line 45 is passed. The line comes directly off thedrum 9, through the sheath 49 situated above the drum, thence through asimilar arrangement at a point approximately midway of the derrick andthe line is directed at right angles to the point of operations.

Thus, should an accident occur, 75

the tong will not be jerked in the drillers direction but to one side.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerablemodification and; such modification as is considered within the scopeand meaning of the appended claims is also considered within the spiritand intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A drum and friction control for pull lines including a revolving drumand a normally stationary drum capable of axial movement in thedirection of said revolving drum and carrying said pull line, frictionmeans carried jointly by said drums for engagement when said latter drumis actuated, stationary flanged means spaced apart on one side of saidlatter drum, thrust pins interposed longitudinally between said flangedmeans on a normally inclined plane, means for urging said pins to aposition parallel with the axes of said drums collectively to exertpressure on said normally stationary drum to axially move the same andmeans resisting the action of said thrust pins for returning said drumto its normal position.

2. A drum and friction control for pull lines including a rotatable anda normally stationary drum carrying a pull line and capable of movementinto operative frictional engagement with said first drum, a stationaryflange spaced from said normally stationary drum, a plurality ofannularly spaced and normally inclined thrust pins operatively disposedbetween said latter drum and said flange, means for displacing said pinscollectively to exert a moving force against said latter drum, means forreturning said drum to normal position and means to restrain movement ofsaid latter drum when in normal inoperative position.

3. A casing spinning apparatus including a member constrained againstother than rotative movement and a drum capable of rotative andlongitudinal movement, a stationary flange spaced from said drum, aseries of thrust pins operatively disposed between said drum and flange,means for changing the positions of said pins collectively to exert amoving force on said drum to, effect frictional engagement of said drumwith said rotatable member, means to return said drum to normal positionand means to restrain said drum against rotation subsequent to itsreturn to normal position.

4. A casing spinning apparatus including a pair of drums, one of whichnormally rotates and the other being capable of both rotative movementand axial displacement, the drum displacing means comprising a flangespaced from said latter drum, a series of thrust pins having their endsoperatively connected to said flange and said latter drum, means foractuating said pins to relatively parallel positions to exert a forceagainst said drum to effect frictional engagement of said drums andmeans to effect return of said axially displaceable drum to normalposition.

5. In a friction control apparatus, a revolving member and a normallystationary member capable of rotative and axial movement, said membersrespectively carrying correlated friction means, a stationary flangespaced from said latter member, an oscillatable element interposedbetween said flange and said latter member, a plurality of thrust pinsinterposed between said flange and oscillatable element and normally atan angle relative to the rotating axes of said members, means to movesaid oscillatable element to urge said pins collectively to a positionparallel with the axes of said members to effect and normally inclinedpins having their ends connected to said flange and oscillatable elementto bear operatively against said axially displaceable member and capableof collective displacement whereby to bring their axes into parallelalignment with the rotating axes of said members to urge saiddisplaceable member into frictional engagement with the companion memberfor common rotation therewith and means to return said displaceablemember to inoperative position.

7. A friction control for pull lines including a normally rotatingmember and an adjacent member capable of rotative and longitudinalmovement, friction means carried jointly by said members for relativeengagement to effect rotation of both of said members, an oscillatableand axially movable flange bearing against said longitudinally movablemember, a stationary flange, a plurality of normally inclined elementsdisposed between said flanges and capable of collective displacement toexert a moving force against said axially movable flange to move saidlongitudinally movable member to bring about engagement of said frictionmeans. I

8. A friction control for pull lines including a member constrainedagainst other than rotative movement and a drum capable of rotative andlongitudinal movement, a stationary flange spaced from said drum, anoscillatable and axially movable flange disposed between said flange andmovable drum to bear against said drum, a series of thrust pinsoperatively disposed between said drum and oscillatable flange and meansto actuate 1 ment of said drum with said rotatable member. 9. A drum andfriction control for pull lines including a normally rotating member anda normally stationary member capable of advancement to frictionalengagement with said rotating member and carrying a pull line, astationary flange and a movable flange adjacent said normally stationarymember, a pluralityof thrust pins having their ends movably connected tosaid flanges, means for holding said pins in normally inclined position,and means for collectively moving said pins to relatively parallelposition to operatively move said movable flange and said normallystationary member.

10. A drum and friction control for pull lines including a normallyrotating drum and a normally stationary drum carrying a pull line, anoscillatable flange and an axially movable flange, a series of thrustpins interposed between and spaced annularly about the axis of saidflanges, means for normally holding said thrust pins at an anglerelative to the axis of said flanges, and means to actuate saidoscillatable flange to collectively move said thrust pins to relativelyparallel position to move the companion flange and said normallystationary drum, thereby to effect operative engagement of the latterwith said normally rotating drum.

WALTER W. FOSTER.

